CLOSE to a year ago, the New Westminster Police Department Street Crime Unit engaged in a project to investigate suspected drug dealing and on-going criminal activity in New Westminster. In this investigation, several search warrants were executed throughout Surrey and New Westminster.

Police seized a number of vehicles, a large quantity of cash, multiple firearms, replica firearms, and a large amount of drugs including heroin containing lethal levels of fentanyl and pure fentanyl. The total amount of drugs from the seizure had an estimated street value of approximately $300,000.

Now six people have been arrested and charged in relation to these offences:

* Neil Naidu, 31, of Surrey has been charged with:

Twenty counts of trafficking heroin and fentanyl.

One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

* Manisha Lidhar, 25, of Surrey has been charged with:

Nine counts of trafficking heroin and fentanyl.

One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

* Pahul Lidhar, 20, of Surrey has been charged with:

Eight counts of trafficking heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.

Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

* Tyler Sandhu, 28, of Surrey has been charged with:

One count of trafficking heroin and fentanyl.

One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Four counts of possessing a firearm.

* Eric Hanif, 32, of Surrey has been charged with:

One count of trafficking heroin and fentanyl.

* Matthew Sharafi, 24, of Chilliwack has been charged with:

One count of trafficking heroin and fentanyl.

One count of trafficking cocaine.

“These kinds of investigations take a lot of experience and expertise from detectives, and our Street Crime Unit along with our partnering agencies have successfully recommended multiple drug offence charges,” said Sgt. Jeff Scott. “We take these offences very seriously, which is why our Street Crime Unit has devoted the time and energy to stop drug dealers from profiting in our city.”

Naidu remains in custody to appear in court, and the others have been released pending an upcoming court appearance.

The New Westminster Police Department said they would like to remind the public to report suspected drug activity to their local police.